In honour of Sir Fletcher Norton,[7] Speaker of the House of Commons, and Mr King’s nearest relation, I named this inlet Norton Sound.  It extends to the northward as far as the latitude of 64 deg. 55’.  The bay, in which we were now at anchor, lies on the S.E. side of it; and is called by the natives Chacktoole.  It is but an indifferent station, being exposed to the south and south-west winds.  Nor is there a harbour in all this Sound.  But we were so fortunate as to have the wind from the N. and N.E. all the time, with remarkable fine weather.  This gave us an opportunity to make no less than seventy-seven sets of lunar observations between the 6th and 7th inclusive.  The mean result of these made the longitude of the anchoring-place, on the west side of the Sound, to be

197 deg. 13’
Latitude                          64  31
Variation of the compass          25  45 east. 
Dip of the needle                 76  25

[Footnote 7:  Afterwards Lord Grantley.]

Of the tides, it was observed, that the night-flood rose about two or three feet, and that the day-flood was hardly perceivable.

Having now fully satisfied myself, that Mr Staehlin’s map must be erroneous; and having restored the American continent to that space which he had occupied with his imaginary island of Alaschka, it was high time to think of leaving these northern regions, add to retire to some place during the winter, where I might procure refreshments for my people, and a small supply of provisions.  Petropaulowska, or the harbour of St Peter and St Paul, in Kamtschatka, did not appear likely to furnish either the one or the other for so large a number of men.  I had, besides, other reasons for not repairing thither at this time.  The first, and on which all the others depended, was the great dislike I had to lie inactive for six or seven months; which would have been the necessary consequence of wintering in any of these northern parts.  No place was so conveniently within our reach, where we could expect to have our wants relieved, as the Sandwich Islands.  To them, therefore, I determined to proceed.  But, before this could be carried into execution, a supply of water was necessary.  With this view I resolved to search the American coast for a harbour, by proceeding along it to the southward, and thus endeavour to connect the survey of this part of it with that lying immediately to the north of Cape Newenham.  If I failed in finding a harbour there my plan was then to proceed to Samganoodha, which was fixed upon as our place of rendezvous, in case of separation.

SECTION XI.